IN TROPICAL COUNTRIES 155
It is, I claim, the function of co-operation to remedy
these evils, to free the peasants, the craftsmen and the
rural labourers of Asia and Africa from their embarrass-
ments, and to open their minds to a comprehension of
the better life which may be theirs. But in order to do
this, co-operation must cover the whole ground. Native
society in the villages is not integrated for the purpose of
living in an economic world. The ancient framework is
consequently falling apart, and if in India or elsewhere
the village Council or Panchayat is revived by legisla-
tion, it is a new organ, not that which served the old and
simple community. Similarly, if the efforts to conserve in
East or West Africa the "native authorities" are success-
ful, their machinery and their inner reality will gradually
and inevitably be transformed, and another building set
up on the original foundation. Apart from such com-
munal or tribal organs of self-government, there is in
the village no such integration as in Europe and
America: neither People's High Schools nor a Boeren-
bond, neither Women's Institutes nor Savings Banks,
Even the priest or medicine-man, in native society, is
ordinarily content with his professional duties, and takes
no constructive steps to enhance the general well-being.
There are, no doubt, official departments which, under
white or progressive native Governments, urge the
people to improve their agriculture or their crafts, to
send their children to school and to perform strange
hygienic rites. These teachings, however, make only a
fleeting impression, the teacher passes on to visit the
remainder of his vast territorial charge, and though
intelligent persons slowly learn to use purer seed and
better craft implements, the masses are untouched;
bodies remain sick and minds ignorant. Compulsion by
the State is rarely practicable. White officers are expen-
sive, native officers not always Impeccable, and though
also in other parts of Asia and Africa; but writing for an mteroa^al pebli^
I can find no other expression to denote the races and <x>tmtries» which Weslosi
ideas and civilisation do not prevail. The word is not intended to convey asJ
derogatory meaning whatever. The non-European may!» superior fco Europeans
in any or all respects.